Neuroendocrine tumors of the pancreas.

ABSTRACT

Pancreatic Neuroendocrine tumors (PNET) are rare tumors that require a high degree of suspicion for timely diagnosis. They are best divided into functional and nonfunctional varieties. Functional tumors often are symptom specific and are diagnosed at an earlier stage than nonfunctional tumors. The severity of symptoms and pace of disease should dictate therapy. Surgical extirpation remains the only curative modality for localized disease, but palliation of hormone-related symptoms can be achieved with different modalities (Management of hormonal Excess, biologic therapy, chemotherapy and biochemotherapy, local-regional therapy with hepatic arterial embolization).